Wishing You a Very Contemplative Christmas

23.12.20 – Darrell Priestley

As we already knew, this was always going to be a Christmas with a difference. A Christmas to review, re-examine, and reframe our ideas of what is important, and a time to think about what Christmas can and should be.

This year, with great care, we will all try to find new ways to share with families and friends just how much they mean to us. The limitations on gatherings only serve to remind us of the importance of others in our lives.

This year, against the backdrop of the pandemic, Eileen and I have marvelled at how our students and their families, as the teachers too, have risen to the challenges they have had to face. Resilience and fortitude have been equalled by a strong sense of togetherness, married with a determination to succeed.

While many students have responded by practicing more, accelerating their progress, perhaps the greater surprise is how we have got to know a lot of our students and their familes rather better, chatting online, on the phone, and at times even in person! While we’ve all had a challenging year, we have been truly touched by the warmth shown to us by students and their families.

Along with all the teachers, Eileen and I want to wish you all a calm, quiet, and above all a supremely safe Christmas. Whatever the New Year brings, we hope to build on everything we have achieved together so far, and make 2021 the best that it can possibly be.

Looking forward to seeing and working with you again soon.

Take care.